Accreditation and Opportunities for Students

Foreign Language High School Credits and Seal of Biliteracy 

Our school proudly holds full Illinois state accreditation, which allows our students to earn additional credits for proficiency in Polish on their American high school diploma. We encourage students and parents—especially parents of eighth graders—to continue learning Polish until high school graduation to earn these points.

Additionally, our school offers the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy exam, which can be taken independently of high school studies. This prestigious recognition not only officially confirms bilingualism but also opens new educational and career opportunities for students.

What is the Seal of Biliteracy?

Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy is a program recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education that honors high school graduates who achieve a high level of proficiency in one or more languages other than English.

Introduced in 2017 through HB 4330, this recognition has become an integral part of the education system in Illinois. As a result, bilingual students can officially confirm their language skills and gain significant support in their academic process.

Why Should You Earn the Seal of Biliteracy?

1. Recognition by Higher Education Institutions

Public universities in Illinois, such as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, are required to:

• Accept the Seal of Biliteracy as equivalent to two years of foreign language study in high school.
• Grant 8 credit hours, corresponding to two levels of language courses.

These credits appear on the university transcript as Earned Hours and can support the student’s academic path, although they do not affect GPA.

2. Recognition in Other States

By March 2019, the Seal of Biliteracy program had been implemented in 36 states and the District of Columbia. As a result, the certification is widely recognized and accepted in many places.

3. Prestige and New Opportunities

The Seal of Biliteracy distinguishes a student from other candidates, both in the college admissions process and on the job market. Official confirmation of language proficiency is a valuable asset in many professional fields.